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Get Help!

If you are in need of immediate medical assistance, please dial 911. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 800-273-TALK (8255). Or you can text to 838255.

The VA SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE recently reported that it has received more than 55,000 calls, averaging 120 per day, with about 22,000 callers saying they are veterans. See this SELF HELP GUIDE for veteran families about post-traumatic stress (PTSD), treatment and recovery. Videos are available about PTSD, its stigma, depression, trigger and anger management, traumatic brain injury, physical injury, substance abuse, suicide prevention and much more at AFTER DEPLOYMENT WELLNESS.

Help Others

Contact LivingWorks Education the world’s leading suicide intervention skills training institution. Prevention training is also available through QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer). Learn what to say/do, and what not to say/do when around someone at risk for suicide. Learn more about suicide prevention information, training and other resources at Montana DPHHS.

Transition Workshops for Veteran Families

TRANSITION WORKSHOPS are FREE (excluding travel to the workshop location) for veterans and caregivers struggling with the effects of war. These restorative retreats strive for physical and psychological wellness and emotional decompression with outdoor recreational therapy. ONF also promotes suicide prevention first aid training for veteran mentors, caregivers or anyone wanting to be prepared to help save a life. See more about these workshops as they vary. Apply now!

Suicide is a permanent solution to temporary problems–an act of hopelessness. It is giving in to an inner demon that is lying just to destroy hope, dreams and future beyond despair. No matter what is endured in life for veterans after war, they could struggle with resisting isolation, drinking or taking prescription drugs excessively to avoid dealing with reality. No matter what kind of internal pain veterans experience after combat, sometimes their pride causes them to suffer silently with invisible wounds. The stigma attached to receiving mental health treatment puts returning home veterans reluctant to treatment and at-risk for a host of problems.

ONF is fighting for veterans with public awareness campaigns, Veteran/Caregiver transition workshops, therapeutic outdoor retreats and suicide prevention first aid training. The more we fight the stigmas associated with invisible wounds the more veterans can be reached, and the more these veterans can reach out to other veterans.

The next time you hug a family member, sit down to a good meal, drive down a road without hidden explosives, lie down in a warm safe bed to sleep, or enjoy time with your best friends… Think about how our combat veterans have sacrificed and suffered loss through multiple Iraq or Afghanistan combat tours. Too many veterans continue to suffer in silence. They deserve our understanding and unwavering support!

How to Help:

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SUICIDE HURTS EVERYONE

Each act of suicide comes with its unique set of circumstances, private inner struggles and its own theory as to why. Loved ones left behind are stunned, confused and are haunted with the relentless question: What could I have done differently or could I have done more? We all ask, what can be done about our suicide epidemic? The Department of Veteran Affairs and Department of Defense still asks how to improve outcomes for our veterans at risk for suicide. Where’s the gap? Suicide IS preventable! Every family should be trained to, "Question, Persuade and Refer" (QPR) at-risk veterans.

PUT YOURSELF IN THEIR BOOTS

Once protected in close-knit military units and now back home, veterans must learn to be individuals again, freer yet often more alone, surrounded by a society that knows little about military life. Whether you know a combat veteran, or just care about our defenders protecting our freedoms, try to imagine what it’s like to do a 24/7 job in a life-threatening environment; with extreme hot, cold or wet conditions, and without much sleep. Think what it’s like to miss family day-after-day and then not being able to protect a battle-buddy. Think about what the unforgettable sounds, smells and sites of a horrific combat zone can do to anyone. And then, to go back and do it again. For many wounded veterans, they feel guilty for falling short on not being able to go back to fight with their buddies.

Eight in 10 suicides happen in the United States after returning home from war. Most did not leave notes or communicate their intent. Here is a letter from one who did: “After my close friend was killed in Iraq I’ve held a lot of guilt, anger and sadness inside for a very long time. I was too ashamed and proud to tell anyone. I stopped drinking and tried dealing with it on my own but failed. I’m sorry that I let you down. I was really hoping for some noble, heroic death. I love you and there’s nothing you or anyone could do. This is my decision. I’m sorry I was not strong enough.”